The math program encourages students at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools to enjoy mathematics and to master math skills they will need. Math teachers stress unifying ideas and connections between ideas; they see mathematics learning as a continuum rather than a sequence of separate, discrete blocks of material, and value the ability to formulate conjectures about mathematical principles, to verify those conjectures, and to apply previous knowledge to new situations.

The math faculty encourages students to develop confidence, independence, responsibility, and organizational and study skills. As they develop their mathematical skills, students are actively involved in presenting solutions to problems, participating in class discussion, utilizing technology that aids in problem solving, and exploring the relationships between concepts and applications of mathematical techniques in other academic areas. Students learn to write complete logical expositions of solutions and to present them to the class. Reading thoroughly and writing clearly are essential for success in math. Additionally, the math teams in middle school through high school support the math program by providing enrichment and challenge beyond the classroom.